Editor's Note: Secret Invasion: Front Line #2 arrives in stores tomorrow, August 6.

"Chapter 2: Run. As Fast As You Can."

So this may be the best Front Line series that Marvel has done so far. What really sets it apart is the focus on a variety of characters, as well as Ben Urich, that gives us a look at the heroic and the not-so-heroic responses to whichever big threat is current, from a number of believable perspectives. It's also a very pretty book to look at.

But with that said, there's still not much to interest a casual reader. A Secret Invasion completist may find things to get excited about, but I, for one, am just getting tired of seeing the initial invasion force landing in Times Square yet again. Surely there are other places that this story can go?

One of the good things about this issue is that we do get some movement away from the street, as we follow the group of people who are trapped inside Stark Tower. To be honest, theirs is the only story that has engaged me, and that's mainly because it's something different. They are trapped in the dark and someone green, murderous, and bloody is in there with them. There's an enjoyable horror film vibe to this section, along with some fairly gruesome bits, as they make their way into the lower, underground levels of the tower.

As for the other cast members, I really don't need to see the cab driver, Jonathan Bryant, running around mock cursing and complaining about how bad his day is. Hot Action Doctor Molly Young is a nice character but really adds nothing this issue. And Ben Urich truly disappoints. I'm sure it's all to set up a reversal, so he can overcome his fears, etc. etc. But I did not need to see him puking in terror. 'Nuff said.

We are also introduced to another perspective this issue; that of police officer Bill Dawson, who mainly just tries to do the right thing but fails to accomplish much of anything, except almost get himself, and everyone around him, killed.

As with the first issue, the highlight is really the art. Although if they make Urich any uglier, I may begin vomiting right along with him. Most of the supporting characters are very distinctly designed, and there are only a few "heroic" leading men who resemble each other. The women are a little more generic, unfortunately. Sometimes the characters can be a little stiff and posed, but it's not a serious issue as the action tends to be easy to follow, and the level of detail is impressive. But, again, as I said last issue, the real stars are the colorists.

Ciardo and Pinelli make every page a pleasure to look at. There's a very attractive watercolor feel to their work that enhances their use of light and shadows. The way the light filters through blinds, or illuminates a street scene, occasionally creates an almost photo-realistic sense of depth. There's also a good use of ambient lighting during the scenes in Stark Tower, as the characters use their cell phones to light their way through the darkness.

Again, this isn't a bad book, but there's really not much here to recommend beyond the extremely nice use of color. I'd almost prefer that they just focused on the cast of characters stuck in Stark Tower and let that story really move and build suspense. The other stories just aren't doing anything for me.

---

What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!

---